Do you want to know some team building activities for the norming stage? Norming is the third stage of the team development model proposed by Bruce Tuckman. As its name implies, it’s the stage during which group norms and basic rules are set. If you’re a business leader, you might want to know how to help your teams get through this stage.
In this article, let’s have a look at some of the norming stage activities.
What’s Norming Stage?
The norming stage is the third stage of group development, which comes after the forming and storming stages. This is the stage during which team norms and rules regarding behavior as well as allocation of roles are set. Also, employees are likely to develop a team culture during this stage.
In this stage, close relationships between colleagues start to form. The reason is they already established mutual respect and trust with each other. Likewise, teams concentrate on the goals to be achieved, so they develop different ways of working. For this reason, they will be expecting feedback from both leaders and colleagues.
What Should Teams Accomplish During the Norming Stage?
By the end of the norming stage and just before beginning the next stage (performing), teams should accomplish the following 4 key tasks.
Task 1: Focus on the goals to be achieved
Firstly, teams should have a clear understanding of the goals that they need to be achieved. In order to achieve the goals assigned to them, they should set themselves SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. So, as a leader, you can conduct some goal-setting activities.
Task 2: Plan how to collaborate and deliver the results as a team
Secondly, teams should plan how to work together and deliver the expected results. Without a proper plan, they wouldn’t be able to succeed. So, it’s important to develop their planning skills and creativity. Additionally, employees should have a clear idea about the strengths and weaknesses of their teammates.
Task 3: Go outside of the comfort zone to be adaptable
Thirdly, teams should try to become more adaptable. Since most team members are comfortable and relaxed during this stage, chances are they wouldn’t want to take any risks or try new things. For this reason, employees should go outside of their comfort zone a little bit in order to bring the best in them. That means, they need to improve their adaptability skills.
Task 4: Give and take feedback
Lastly, group members should consistently get feedback from their leaders as well as colleagues. This will give them an insight into how they can achieve their goals. As a leader, you should also be ready to listen to your teams’ feedback because it will help you understand how they are progressing.
10 Team Building Activities for the Norming Stage
In this stage, you need activities that focus on Goal setting, Planning, Creativity, Adaptability, and Change management. So, here are 10 team building activities you can try during the norming stage.
#1. Team Mission Statement
For: Goal Setting and Planning
At first, ask the participants to create a mission statement for their team. For this, you need to give them a pen and paper sheet.
Give them some time for doing it. Then, they should share their mission statement with the other teams.
#2. Transforming Words
For: Adaptability
Start by telling some adaptability-related words such as confidence, persistence, resilience, etc. For this, you should prepare a list of 5 to 10 words beforehand.
Now, ask each person in the team to pick a word from these. Then, they need to come up with some practical ideas to improve that area or skill and share them with the other members.
Finally, every team needs to explain how these ideas will help them become more adaptable.
#3. The SWOT Game
For: Strategic Planning
Initially, ask the participants to perform a SWOT Analysis for their team. SWOT means Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. For this, give them a sheet of paper and pen.
Now, they need to create four different columns and write their team’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats on each column.
Finally, they need to discuss how they can best utilize their strengths and overcome their weaknesses.
#4. Rescue Ship
For: Adaptability, Change Management, and Creativity
This activity requires a large blanket for each group. Initially, set the blanket on the floor and let the teammates stand on it for some time. Then, instruct them to assume that they are staying on a sinking ship and they must move to the rescue ship.
Now, fold the blanket so that it will become very small in size. Then, ask the team to stand on it.
#5. To-Do-First
For: Goal Setting and Planning
Initially, instruct the teams to create a To-Do List for the tasks they would like to do in the next 7 days. For this, you can give them a paper sheet and pen.
Once they are done, ask them to discuss with the group members and identify the tasks they must complete in the next 3 days. Then, they should prepare a To-Do-First list that consists of tasks to be completed within 3 days.
#6. Road Map Game
For: Strategic Planning
First, provide a map of any location and some information like cash on hand, type of car, price of fuel, etc. Now, ask the teams to plan a one-day trip to that location with the help of the given information.
Then, each team can create their plan and share it with the rest of the groups. Make sure that you set a time limit for this activity.
#7. The Paper Tower
For: Planning and Creativity
Initially, provide a large sheet of paper to each group. Then, ask them to build the tallest tower by using this paper. Make sure that it must be a free-standing structure.
Now, set a time limit for this activity and once they are done, review the structures.
#8. Flying Balloons
For: Adaptability, Change Management, and Collaboration
First, give some inflated balloons to the teams. Make sure that each team has different color balloons. For example, Team 1 has red balloons, Team 2 has blue balloons, etc.
Now, ask the teams to launch their balloons into the air and prevent them from falling to the ground. For this, they can hit them using their hands or head, but they shouldn’t hold them. At last, see which group kept more balloons in the air.
#9. Virtual Teammate
For: Adaptability, Change Management, and Creativity
Initially, encourage each group member to share the key strengths that they can utilize for their team’s success. Then, ask the teams to assume that they have a “virtual teammate” with all these strengths.
Now, they need to write a short profile description about this virtual teammate. For this, provide a pen and paper sheet to each group. Finally, each group can share this with the other teams.
#10. Silent Concert
For: Planning and Adaptability
This activity requires a music player or smartphone. First, ask the participants to conduct a musical concert for any song they want. The rule here is they must do it by lip-sync, air guitar, etc.
Now, let them decide on the roles for each member such as singers, violinists, etc., and do the rehearsal. Allow some time for this.
Finally, they should play the music and perform.
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Final Words
Norming is a crucial stage because it defines how well a team will perform in the future. So, as a leader, you should get your teams outside of their comfort zone and help them to focus on their goals. Moreover, you should always listen to them and give them constructive feedback when needed.
Hopefully, the above norming stage activities will help you achieve these. Just in case you want more insight into building and managing strong teams, you can read my newly published article: “25 Best Team Building Books for Managers and Leaders”.